Perfect vision

Aug 7th, 2017

By Jackey Locke

Perfect vision

Memorial’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science is more than half way through its eight-year strategic growth plan (2012-2021).

Over the past five years, the faculty has successfully increased the number of graduates from our undergraduate programs by five to seven per cent per year and nearly doubled the number of graduate students, while raising the faculty’s research profile and reputation, nationally and internationally.

“By harnessing the ingenuity and talents of young engineers, we’re developing the next great innovations that our province needs,” said Dr. Greg Naterer, dean, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. “We have attracted the best and brightest students from across the province and around the world, who are remarkably talented.”

The faculty has focused its growth and research directions on strategic areas of importance for the province – energy, oceans, information and communication technologies, and the environment, among others.

This growth in enrolment and research capacity will require Memorial’s engineering faculty to expand beyond the walls of the S.J. Carew Building and the Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation. The Core Science Facility (CSF) and Battery Facility will have key roles in supporting the engineering expansion. CSF brings modern, world-class science and engineering facilities that will dramatically improve the functionality of Memorial’s campus for decades to come and foster multi-disciplinary innovation. Also, the Battery Facility will expand Memorial’s public engagement with the community and open up new space on the main campus for engineering expansion.

Additional students and faculty have also meant additional administrative support staff, including laboratory technologists and programmer consultants. The faculty has also added new courses, program streams, interdisciplinary centres such as the Memorial Centre for Entrepreneurship (MCE), and several research chairs.

In 2012, the provincial government invested $1.7 million to allow for the first year of development of engineering expansion, as well increasing international recruitment and co-operative education services. The provincial government also invested $1.1 million per year in subsequent years to continue the eight-year expansion.

“Government and community support have been absolutely critical to the success of our growth plan,” said Dr. Naterer. “Engineering expansion is building capacity in fields that support the province’s economic growth strategies and it is an important driver of a more innovative, diversified and knowledge-based economy.”

If you are interested in applying for a faculty position in Memorial's Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, please click here.